The Federal High Court in Lagos has fixed February 27, 2025, for the arraignment of Gbolahan Obanikoro, son of Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, and four others on allegations of involvement in a ₦1.356 billion fraud case.
Other defendants in the case include Adejare Adegbenro, Balmoral International Limited, M.O.B. Integrated Limited, and DDSS International Company Limited. The charges against them encompass conspiracy, fraud, false pretenses, and false representation.
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa rescheduled the arraignment date on January 24 after the defendants failed to appear in court as previously scheduled. During the session, prosecution counsel Momoh Bello requested a bench warrant, arguing that the defendants had been duly notified. However, Joshua Abel, representing the fourth defendant, opposed the motion, citing late service and inadequate briefing for directors currently outside the country.
After reviewing the proof of service, Justice Lewis-Allagoa determined that proper service had not been completed for Gbolahan Obanikoro and Adejare Adegbenro, the first and second defendants. While service was deemed adequate for the corporate defendants, the court ordered the prosecution to regularize the process for the remaining individuals.
The case stems from allegations by the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the Nigerian Police, which claims that between May and September 2013, the defendants conspired to fraudulently secure ₦1.356 billion from Access Bank Plc (formerly Diamond Bank). The funds were reportedly obtained under the guise of financing car imports from Dubai, but were allegedly diverted for personal use.
The alleged offences violate Section 8(i)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offenses Act, 2006, and sections of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. If convicted, the defendants could face severe penalties under these laws.
